Category Manager

Azuria Water Solutions is looking for an experienced Category Manager to join our team based in our Corporate Headquarters in Chesterfield, Missouri.

Azuria and its family of companies shield and protect the world's infrastructure from degradation and corrosion with a variety of technologies.  Azuria's businesses comprise sewer, drinking water and energy and mining pipeline rehabilitation and corrosion protection for and strengthening of bridges, tunnels, buildings, waterfront, metal, and concrete structures. Our companies provide cost-effective solutions to remediate operational, health, regulatory and environmental problems resulting from aging and defective pipelines and infrastructure. For more information, visit www.Azuria.com

Summary of Position

The Category Manager will report to the Senior Director of Procurement and will be an integral part of our Supply Chain Team.  In this position, the Category Manager will be assigned a set of direct material or indirect spend categories amounting to an annual buy of around ~$50-$100M.  They will work cross-functionally to identify buy strategies, cost out opportunities, and other improvements in the procurement / supply chain processes.  Along with being the subject matter expert in these categories, they will be the lead negotiator and will own the supplier relationship, managing all quarterly business reviews.

This position requires 20% travel, and candidate will be required to work out of an onsite office.

Responsibilities

• Work both independently and cross-functionally with key stakeholders, in the creation and implementation of key supply chain strategies.
• Critically analyze spend across assigned categories down to SKU level, developing cost out targets.  Manage targets and effectively communicate status to leadership.
• Subject matter expert in categories.  Compile, analyze, and summarize information across key publications, suppliers, industry trends, and raw materials
• Lead RFP process, which includes collecting key customer inputs, supplier qualification, issuance of RFP’s, contract development, and negotiations.
• Act as liaison with suppliers, organizing and leading quarterly business reviews.  Track contract performance with operating teams and manage improvement opportunities.
• Identify critical supply chain risks and develop mitigation strategies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, engineering, finance, or supply chain.
• 5+ years of experience in Supply Chain, preferably in Procurement, developing category strategies across direct and or indirect buys.
• Broad understanding of Supply Chain concepts, such as demand planning, buying, inventor management, and S&OP.
• Effective negotiator with thorough understanding of key contract terms, and record of delivering favorable contract outcomes.
• Demonstrated history of establishing and fostering supplier relationships. 
• Critical thinking skills with ability to independently mine, transform, and analyze large amounts of data using various systems and data analytics tools.
• Executive level written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with using ERP systems and other procurement software (JDE, SAP, Coupa etc.).
• Ability to travel domestically ~20% of the time.

Desired Skills

• MBA or other procurement certifications, such as:  CSCP, CPIM, or CPSM.
• Business acumen with ability to translate results to balance sheet.
• Experience in infrastructure construction, manufacturing, and or subcontracting.
• Experience in managing chemicals
• Highly proficient in MS Office Suite, especially Excel.

We offer a competitive salary with career growth opportunities and a full benefits package including medical, dental, and vision Insurance, prescription drug coverage, 401k matching, tuition assistance, overtime pay, paid time off, and much more.

Azuria is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Azuria is firmly bound. Azuria will not engage in discrimination against, or harassment of, any person employed or seeking employment with Azuria on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, non-disqualifying disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.

VEVRAA compliant – priority referral Protected Veterans requested